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The mountains of the Mediterranean world are now largely ice free, but many were repeatedly glaciated during the Quaternary ice age. This created spectacular glaciated landscapes with a rich array of glacial deposits and landforms. The glacial and glacio-fluvial records are often very well preserved and our understanding of the timing of Quaternary glaciation has very recently been transformed through the application of dating methods utilizing uranium-series and cosmogenic isotopes. Glacial records from the Mediterranean now boast some of the most robust chronologies for mountain glaciation anywhere in the world – they represent a unique archive of Quaternary environmental change of global significance. The southerly latitude and relatively small size of Mediterranean glaciers rendered them especially sensitive to Pleistocene and Holocene climate changes. This volume brings together the leading researchers and the latest research on Mediterranean glaciation. Several papers also explore glacier behaviour in the Holocene – including those glaciers of southernmost Europe at risk of disappearing this century.

Published online 04/01/2017. Print copies available from 02/02/2017.

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This special publication by the Geological Society of London presents 14 original research papers in the field of Quaternary Glaciation in the Mediterranean Mountains. The key objective was to bring together the latest work from leading specialists and to set out the wider significances of their findings. It certainly streamlines the past and present research knowledge and research techniques of this field, and also assesses the prospects for new studies, and outstanding research problems in Quaternary glaciation in the Mediterranean mountains.

It covers well the background the history of this field of research – not only the science but the human element too, the people involved and their backgrounds, making for a vivid and engaging read. It is well ordered, with a logical structure moving clockwise from North Africa around the Mediterranean, enriched with high quality maps, diagrams, data-tables and schematic diagrams. Each paper complements the others and provides readers with the opportunity to recognise the different methods that are used in studying past glacial environments. It shows the importance of working together to develop our understanding of the world around us.

Featured in Geoscientist Dec 17/Jan 18 vol 23

John Lonergan, FGS, BSc OU Geosciences

30.04.2018

Featured in Proceedings of the Open University Geological Society Volume 4 2018

This book is certainly broad in scope and demonstrates how the mountains of the Mediterranean were repeatedly glaciated during the Quaternary ice age. The various papers are by the current experts in the field; the forward and preface show the enthusiasm of the researchers in this field, and their love of the landscapes. For all that this area now rarely has extensive snow and ice cover, there are a wealth of glaciated landscapes available to inspect and study. The book demonstrates that the timings of these glaciations have recently been transformed using uranium-series and cosmogenic isotopes, to provide some of the best datable sequences for mountain glaciation. The southerly latitude, and relatively small size of Mediterranean glaciers, made them particularly responsive to Pleistocene and Holocene climate changes, and an ideal area to study these.

This book is generally an accessible read, understandably with an emphasis on chronology, with good photographs and diagrams, some of which look the basis for good visits and field trips — studying glacial landscapes in Mediterranean sunshine certainly appeals. An interesting book on a fascinating subject.